All schools
PrivateUrban

Case Western Reserve University

CWRU

Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

STEM-heavyUrbanGreek life

Top graduate earnings — known for engineering

Case Western Reserve University is a private institution in Cleveland with particular strength in engineering and biology. With an average SAT of 1501, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 6.1K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

87% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $87,989 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $38,909.

Established
1826
Motto
Historical: Christo et Ecclesiae
Mascot
Spartie
Type
Private research university

Plan Your Visit

29%Acceptance
1501SAT Avg
6,108Students
9:1Student:Faculty
87%Grad Rate
$87,989Earnings 10yr
$38,909Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate28.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1501

Reading & WritingMid: 710
700750
MathMid: 760
730790

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 34
3235

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$64,671
Room & Board$18,202
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$81,533
Average Net Price$38,909
Median Debt at Graduation$24,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$254

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$19,510
$30–48K$18,657
$48–75K$19,106
$75–110K$33,489
$110K+$49,117

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

51.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$21,488

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

46

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

12

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

4

Motor Vehicle Theft

5

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

12

Drug Arrests

9

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (215)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

92%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
6,108
Gender Split
48% / 52%
Women / Men
First Generation
11%
Pell Grant Recipients
17%

Race & Ethnicity

White 35%
Black 6%
Hispanic 12%
Asian 27%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 13%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate87.0%
Freshman Retention92.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$75,613
10 Years$87,989

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#51
vs 2024
Forbes
#238
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#52
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#148
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Soccer

History & Fun Facts

  • Western Reserve was the first college west of the Appalachian Mountains to enroll (1832) and graduate (1836) an African-American student, John Sykes Fayette.
  • Frederick Douglass gave the commencement speech in 1854.
  • In 1838, the Loomis Observatory was built by astronomer Elias Loomis, and today remains the second oldest observatory in the United States, and the oldest still in its original location.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

102Above Average

Estimated from OH state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Clevelandpop. 370K
4 mi(7 min)
Detroitpop. 640K
93 mi(161 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
112 mi(194 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLE Cleveland14 mi
PIT Pittsburgh100 mi
DTW Detroit102 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA545 mi · ~15h 45m drive
New York, NY399 mi · ~11h 32m drive
Hartford, CT462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
Providence, RI526 mi · ~15h 12m drive
Albany, NY410 mi · ~11h 51m drive
Syracuse, NY299 mi · ~8h 38m drive
Rochester, NY234 mi · ~6h 46m drive
Buffalo, NY169 mi · ~4h 53m drive
Philadelphia, PA354 mi · ~10h 14m drive
Pittsburgh, PA112 mi · ~3h 14m drive
Harrisburg, PA261 mi · ~7h 32m drive
Newark, NJ391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Washington, DC301 mi · ~8h 42m drive
Baltimore, MD304 mi · ~8h 47m drive
Atlanta, GA557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
Charlotte, NC436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Raleigh, NC427 mi · ~12h 20m drive
Miami, FL1091 mi · ~31h 31m drive
Orlando, FL896 mi · ~25h 53m drive
Tampa, FL938 mi · ~27h 6m drive
Nashville, TN462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
New Orleans, LA928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
Richmond, VA353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Chicago, IL312 mi · ~9h 1m drive
Detroit, MI93 mi · ~2h 41m drive
Minneapolis, MN633 mi · ~18h 17m drive
St. Louis, MO496 mi · ~14h 20m drive
Kansas City, MO703 mi · ~20h 19m drive
Indianapolis, IN267 mi · ~7h 43m drive
Columbus, OH129 mi · ~3h 44m drive
Cleveland, OH4 mi · ~7 min drive
Milwaukee, WI339 mi · ~9h 48m drive
Dallas, TX1029 mi · ~29h 44m drive
Houston, TX1118 mi · ~32h 18m drive
Austin, TX1188 mi · ~34h 19m drive
San Antonio, TX1261 mi · ~36h 26m drive
Los Angeles, CA2049 mi · ~59h 12m drive
San Francisco, CA2166 mi · ~62h 34m drive
San Diego, CA2035 mi · ~58h 47m drive
Seattle, WA2024 mi · ~58h 28m drive
Portland, OR2054 mi · ~59h 20m drive
Denver, CO1228 mi · ~35h 29m drive
Phoenix, AZ1750 mi · ~50h 33m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1569 mi · ~45h 20m drive
Honolulu, HI4561 mi · ~131h 46m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Case Western Reserve University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications